103 years ago
Jack Dempsey vs Georges Carpentier
Date: 2nd July 1921
Venue: Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New JerseyTitle: World Heavyweight Title
Promoter: Tex Rickard
Tv: Cinematic Film
Jack Dempsey
(
54
-
4
-
9
)
Weight: 188 lbs
Georges Carpentier
(
82
-
11
-
5
)
Weight: 172 lbs
On Saturday, 2nd July 1921, boxing history was made as Jack Dempsey faced off against Georges Carpentier at the newly built Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, promoted by the indefatigable Tex Rickard. This was a monumental event, marking Dempsey's third defense of the World Heavyweight Title. Both fighters came into the ring with sterling records: Dempsey, a Salt Lake City native, boasting 53-4-9, and Carpentier, hailing from Chicago, with a record of 60-13-8. Despite the weight advantage lying with Carpentier at 197 lbs compared to Dempsey's 188¼ lbs, the odds favored Dempsey 2 to 1.
The venue, Boyle's Thirty Acres, was purpose-built in a remarkable nine weeks at a cost of $250,000, providing seating for 91,613 spectators. It was an octagonal construction covering seven acres, with the final row of bleachers soaring 34 feet above the ground. The ring in the center was a perfect 20 feet square, creating an unprecedented setting for a match Rickard dubbed "The Fight of the Century."
Dempsey had prepared rigorously for this fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jack Renault and Larry Williams had been his sparring partners, whereas Carpentier, the reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion, had honed his skills in Manhasset, Long Island, with Joe Jeannette and Paul Journee as his chief sparring pair.
From a business standpoint, this match was a watershed moment for boxing, generating boxing's first million-dollar gate at $1,789,238. Tickets ranged from $5.50 to $50, selling out rapidly. Dempsey was guaranteed $300,000, and Carpentier, $200,000, with both fighters earning an additional 25% of the motion picture rights.
Significantly, this event marked the first time a fight was broadcasted to a mass audience over the radio, with Major Andrew White and J.O. Smith commentating from ringside. Furthermore, this was the first bout sanctioned by the newly-formed National Boxing Association, which would later transform into the World Boxing Association in 1962.
The fight started at 3:16 in the afternoon. Carpentier, despite having predicted the fight to last more than four rounds, broke his right thumb in two places and suffered a slight wrist strain in the second round. Dempsey, displaying the tenacity that had made him a big favorite beforehand, floored Carpentier twice in the fourth round, culminating in a knockout.
Jack Dempsey vs Georges Carpentier on YouTube
